Bloemfontein Celtic coach Steve Komphela insists that his side gave Cape Town City early Christmas gifts in their Absa Premiership encounter on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Celtic conceded their third consecutive defeat following their 3-2 loss at the hands of Benni McCarthy’s men at Cape Town Stadium.

The defeat sees Celtic finish the year in seventh place in the league standings with their next game coming against Chippa United on 4 January.

Komphela bemoaned the manner in which Celtic conceded three goals in the second half after going into the half-time break with a two-goal lead over the home side.

‘I thought with the goals we conceded, we were too generous – they were more like gifts. This [the three points] is the fourth package we are giving him – the other three were left on the field,’ Komphela said.

‘Leading 2-0 away from home, after three defeats, we should be saying ”let’s consolidate”, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. As sports people we give it our best in order to win, and after a defeat we shake hands and move on, and that is what we have to do. But congratulations to Cape Town City.’

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach believes that his side should have put the game to bed in the first half, but commended City for turning the game around in their favour.

‘It was a classic game of two halves,’ he added.

‘The first half, we should have made things easier for ourselves by winning it – we could have gone into the dressing room 3-0 or 4-0 up, to be honest.

‘But credit must be given to Cape Town City in the second 45 minutes for their desire, fighting spirit and wanting to come back. You can see how Benni made his subs, wanting to affect the game, pushing from wide areas – I don’t know if he picked up that we had an improvised right-back, but it worked for him, as Kgotoso Mofokeng is more of a midfielder.

‘But it was a good game plan from Benni in the second half.’